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Meet the Newest Buckeyes: Class of 2010 Added to Roster June 30, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "Until last week it was all speculation. Although Ohio State landed 19 signatures in February, all but two of them remained “future Buckeyes” before last Monday. Only running back Carlos Hyde (class of 2009) and kicker Drew Basil enrolled early enough for spring practice and already the Buckeyes knew they would be without linebacker Jamel Turner, who suffered gunshot wounds earlier this month. That left 16 players from the class of 2010 who needed to be accounted for when Ohio State began its summer quarter on June 21st. All but one of them raised their hand as present on the first day of classes, as tailback Roderick Smith failed to make it in time...hoping he reports August 5th...
That’s when the Buckeyes will open fall camp, but they didn’t wait to add the other incoming freshmen to the official roster, as they officially gave them numbers along with listing their height and weight. There were a few surprises in the bunch, and we take a look at the newest Buckeyes who will be on the field this fall..."
Vannett Commits To Ohio State June 30, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State picked up their 16th commitment for their 2011 recruiting class Wednesday, when Westerville Central tight end Nick Vannett announced he will be playing for the Buckeyes. Vannett notified the Buckeye staff of his intent, choosing Ohio State over Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Bill Greene has received confirmation from Vannett, and will update this story later today..."
Vannett Makes Sweet 16 June 30, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...Tight End Nick Vannett of Westerville Central pledged his allegiance to Buckeye Nation today in a refreshingly low key announcement that featured no press conference, rather just calls to his top schools and e-mails and texts to the media. Vannett chose OSU over offers from Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Iowa, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and others.
The 6-6/230 Vannett becomes the second tight end to verbal to this class, after Jeff Heuerman did so shortly after the spring game. The two became quite close this past weekend at the Ohio State Senior Advanced Camp, striking up a friendship while participating in various workouts and drills. Vannett is rated the #11 tight end by Scout, the #12 tight end by Rivals, and the #8 tight end by ESPN. He is expected to be the “receiving tight end” out of the two and should fit right into the depth chart behind Jake Stoneburner in that role..."
Devin Smith Commits To Ohio State June 17, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State has accepted the commitment of Massillon (Ohio) Washington wide receiver Devin Smith, the 15th commitment to the Buckeyes' 2011 recruiting class. Smith, one of the top prospects in Ohio, received his offer after an impressive performance at Ohio State's senior camp...
"I have committed to Ohio State," Smith stated. "It's where I've always wanted to go to school, and this is a dream come true. I notified Ohio State today that I wanted to be a Buckeye." As a junior, Smith had 989 receiving yards as a junior, and scored 15 touchdowns, in helping lead the Tigers deep into the Ohio playoffs..."
Recruiting: WR Smith chooses Buckeyes June 17, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...The wide receiver from Massillon, Ohio, earned a scholarship offer with his efforts in OSU’s senior advanced camp last Sunday. He put off announcing it until today, he said, so all of his family and friends could be involved. But as he had indicated Sunday, there was little doubt where his heart was, even as he also pondered offers from Penn State, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Michigan State and elsewhere.
"I went to three games last year, and the atmosphere is just tremendous down there," Smith said today from Massillon. "Everything about Ohio State is great, from the football program to the school.
"I have been an Ohio State fan since I was little. My family, they’re all Ohio State fans. So I felt I fit in perfect with Ohio State."
..."
CFN: 2010 Ohio State Preview June 17, 2010 Source: College Football News - "It has been a few years since Ohio State played in a national championship, but with Terrelle Pryor and 16 starters returning, the team is loaded and ready for a possible run to Glendale. Can the Buckeyes get back over the hump? Check out the CFN 2010 Ohio State Preview...
Pete Fiutak writes:...What to watch for on offense...What to watch for on defense...The team will be far better if...The schedule...Key player to a successful season...The season will be a success if...Key game: October 16 at Wisconsin..."
CFN: 2010 Ohio State Preview June 17, 2010 Source: College Football News - "It has been a few years since Ohio State played in a national championship, but with Terrelle Pryor and 16 starters returning, the team is loaded and ready for a possible run to Glendale. Can the Buckeyes get back over the hump? Check out the CFN 2010 Ohio State Preview...
Pete Fiutak writes:...What to watch for on offense...What to watch for on defense...The team will be far better if...The schedule...Key player to a successful season...The season will be a success if...Key game: October 16 at Wisconsin..."
With the addition of Nebraska, the Big Ten is destined to feature two divisions. But how do we break up the teams? By geography? By rivalries? By competitiveness? Watch Gerry DiNardo's thoughts now
Spring Back: Can Buchanan Bring Consistency to Punting Game? June 14, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "Punting: drop-kicking the ball down the field as high and far as one possibly can to give his team the best field position possible. It seems like an easy enough task, and yet many of the best college football programs in the country struggle to find consistency in the punting game...
That was certainly the case for Ohio State in 2009. With former walk-on Jon Thoma handling the punting duties in place of four-year starter A.J. Trapasso, the Buckeyes finished No. 101 in the country in average yards per punt last season. The only BCS team which placed lower than OSU’s 38.24 yards per punt a year ago was TCU at 37.47 yards or No. 107 in the country. It’s not that Thoma was an incompetent punter, just an inconsistent one...Thoma rebounded with a solid performance in the Rose Bowl (43.7 yards on three punts), but the Buckeyes will need more consistency from their punting game in 2010...
Key losses: Jon Thoma
Returning lettermen: None
Spring newcomers: Drew Basil (Chillicothe)
Help is on the way: None
What we knew...What we thought...How it went...Filling out the two-deep...Fall outlook...Post Spring Depth Chart..."
DL: After missing out on prospects this year, OSU striking gold for 2011 June 13, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "When defensive tackle Joel Hale committed to the Ohio State recruiting class of 2011 last week, he saw it as jumping on an express train about to leave the station. "The class I am going in with right now is unbelievable," said Hale, from Greenwood, Ind. "We could do some great things, like win Big Ten championships and maybe even the national championship...
..."You are talking about two great defensive ends, two of the top defensive tackles in the country, and a guy in Chase Farris who is one of the better players in Ohio who could play end or tackle," said Bill Kurelic, recruiting analyst of Bucknuts. "This will be one of top defensive line groups in the country when they sign their letters of intent in February. I don't think there is any question about it."..."
The media gathered at the WHAC on Wednesday to talk with Cameron Heyward about his inclusion on the Playboy Preseason All-American team, but he also talked about coming back for his senior season, Big Ten expansion, fights in practice and which player he would never fight himself because he was like "the the villain from Rocky III".
Heyward Balancing Greatness and Humility June 9, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "Cam Heyward is a big guy. Fortunately for Ohio State he doesn’t come with a big ego...
On Tuesday, the 290-pound defensive lineman was named to the Playboy Preseason All-America Football Team, but it didn’t take long for the Buckeye senior to shrug it off. "It’s just a pre (season) award," Heyward said Wednesday in his soft-spoken voice, the one he doesn’t bring to practice. "I’m mostly focused on the post (season) awards."
It wasn’t that Heyward isn’t grateful or honored to be named as a pre-season All-American, quite the opposite in fact, but he understands that pre-season rankings and accolades don’t mean a whole lot at the end of the year. "We have to put all the egos aside and just be humble and be gracious of the opportunities we’re getting," said Heyward, who was also named to the preseason Lombardi and Lott Trophy watch lists..."
Spring Back: Kicking Game Looking for Face Lift June 9, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "What happened with Ohio State’s kicking game a year ago was nothing short of preposterous. Known for having solid special teams under coach Jim Tressel, who puts as much emphasis on a good punt as he does a good pass—probably more even—the Buckeyes were anything but solid in their kicking game in 2009...
Both (Devin Barclay, a former Major League Soccer player who walked on at Ohio State) and Pettrey hit key field goals in the Rose Bowl win over Oregon, but overall the Buckeyes were in the bottom half of the Big Ten—seventh to be exact—with their 70 percent field goal percentage...
Key losses: Aaron Pettrey
Returning lettermen: Devin Barclay
Spring newcomers: None
Help is on the way: Drew Basil
What we knew...What we thought...How it went...Filling out the two-deep...Fall outlook...Post Spring Depth Chart..."
Buckeyes Land Hale As #14 June 7, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State added commitment number 14 to their 2011 recruiting class Monday, with the announcement that Indiana defensive lineman Joel Hale pledged to the Buckeyes. Hale committed to Ohio State Monday afternoon, in a phone call to Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel.
Hale, 6-foot-5, 295-pounds, is a three-star prospect that chose Ohio State over the likes of Florida, Penn State and Georgia Tech. He is expected to play defensive tackle for Ohio State. "I called (Ohio State head coach) Jim Tressel today and told him I had selected Ohio State," Hale explained. "It was a tough decision, but Ohio State was the best place for me."..."
Hale Keeps The Recruiting Train Rolling June 7, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "The 6-5/295 defensive lineman from Greenwood, Indiana pulled the trigger on a verbal commitment to Jim Tressel and Jim Heacock, becoming the fifth defensive lineman and third defensive tackle (Michael Bennett, Chase Farris) to do so. Hale chose the Bucks over offers from Florida, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Wisconsin for others. He visited OSU a few times and with little space remaining in the OSU class, he decided the time was right for a commitment. In his junior year at Center Grove, Hale notched about 50 tackles (12 for loss), 4 sacks, and 1 interception. He says he runs about a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash, can bench 395 pounds, and has a 27-inch vertical leap.
This is a big addition to the future of the defensive line as Hale is highly regarded as one of the best in the country at tackle. I got the chance to see him in person at an OSU practice this spring and he certainly passed the looks test then. With 14 commitments already in the books, look for the Bucks to add around 8, possibly 10 more to this class which should be top 5 in the nation on NLOI Day 2011..."
Spring Back: Pryor Coming Into His Own? June 7, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "Needless to say, it was a big spring for Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeye quarterback was coming off the game his coach called "the biggest of his career" at Ohio State and expectations were rising steadily by the day...We take a look back at the important spring that was for Ohio State’s star junior and the other Buckeye quarterbacks in our latest "Spring Back" piece.
Key losses: None
Returning lettermen: Terrelle Pryor
Spring newcomers: None
Help is on the way: Taylor Graham (Illinois)
What we knew...What we thought...How it went...Filling out the two-deep...Fall outlook...Post Spring Depth Chart..."
Son of former running back commits June 6, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Evan Spencer, son of former Ohio State running back and assistant coach Tim Spencer, ran the halls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center occasionally as a youngster. A year from now, he’ll be preparing to play for the Buckeyes. A 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver prospect from Vernon, Ill., he became the 13th commitment to Ohio State’s 2011 recruiting class. He gave coach Jim Tressel the news Friday, then revealed it publicly yesterday.
"My dad was happy for me, and my whole family was pretty glad it was finally over," Spencer said. "It was getting kind of strenuous. So they were all glad it was over, and that my choice was Ohio State." He said he had narrowed his choices to Iowa and OSU, "then I decided Ohio State was the best fit for me."..."
Spencer Becomes Lucky 13 For Buckeyes June 5, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "As the son of former Buckeye Tim Spencer, it had long been speculated that Evan would become a Buckeye, and he spoke of the connection with his family. "My dad playing there played a part, but this was the best decision for me," Spencer said. "I felt like I fit in there best, and I think I can help them out with my strengths."
Spencer admitted he was impressed by the commitment of super quarterback Braxton Miller to Ohio State earlier this week, but that did not influence his decision. "I also saw where Braxton Miller had committed on Thursday, and I was glad to see that, even though I had made my decision a few weeks ago," he admitted. "I wanted to wait to make my decision public, to be 100% certain, so I waited until yesterday to call Coach Tressel. I also spoke to (wide receivers coach) Darrell Hazell yesterday, and he was very excited, as well."
"I'm planning on getting to Ohio State's senior camp in a few weeks," he continued. "Coach Tressel said a lot of the commits will be there working out, and it will give me a good chance to meet the guys." As a junior at Vernon Hills, Spencer led his team in both receiving and interceptions, but he stated he is being recruited as a wide receiver by Ohio State..."..."
ESPNU 150 wide receiver Evan Spencer (Vernon Hills, Ill.) committed to Ohio State Saturday morning,
Notre Dame, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin also offered the 6-foot, 178-pound prospect. Both of Spencer's parents attended Ohio State and his father, Tim, played for the Buckeyes before moving on to the NFL.
ESPN's Billy Tucker commented on the pledge, "This commitment is not much of shocker for Buckeye fans with the family ties but is still a very important verbal as they landed a natural pass catcher with well-rounded skill-set. Ohio State's fourth ESPNU 150 prospect for 2011 has good physical tools to develop in Columbus."
"While not elite in one particular facet at the position, Spencer runs well and possesses the total package at the position. This guy can turn the short pass into a big gain or get vertical as a route runner, create separation and make the difficult downfield grab. Very good week for the Buckeyes as they landed their future quarterback in Under Armour All-American Braxton Miller (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and now pass catcher in Spencer."
QB inks his commitment, literally June 4, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Miller, a 6-foot-3, 203-pounder considered the top quarterback prospect nationally by Scout.com, wanted to build the drama at a news conference to announce his college choice. But most everyone in attendance in Huber Heights Wayne's auditorium thought they already knew his choice.
His tattoo artist knew for sure. "It looks pretty good, doesn't it?" Miller said after he rolled up his left sleeve to reveal a large block O tattoo on his shoulder and upper arm. "I just got it."
Now that's a commitment. It's like the block O tattoo that current Ohio State junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor got on his right forearm last spring. It would be difficult for Miller, cousin of former Buckeyes receiver Dee Miller, to change his mind. "When I decided I was going to commit, I was like, 'It's the college I like, and I'm in Ohio,'" Miller said, so he had it put in ink..."
10 Things We Learned About Braxton Miller June 4, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "On Thursday Braxton Miller brought delight to Ohio State fans everywhere by selecting the Buckeyes over offers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and over 30 other schools. Considering one of the top two quarterbacks in the country by nearly every talent evaluator, Miller gives the Buckeyes a bright future under center after Terrelle Pryor. There wasn't nearly as much hype and hoopla surrounding Miller's commitment, but there was still plenty to be learned from his press conference at Huber Heights Wayne High School where he enters his fourth season as the starting quarterback...Check out 10 Things We Learned About Braxton Miller..." Braxton Miller will get chance to learn from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, quarterback Terrelle Pryor June 4, 2010 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The question was when Jim Tressel might think about retiring. Huber Heights Wayne football coach Jay Minton wanted to make sure that his quarterback, Braxton Miller, would get the total Tressel treatment if he chose to be a Buckeye..."You don't get the coach Tressel full effect in a year," Minton said. "He does a great job of having his quarterbacks progress."..."
Braxton Miller, Ohio State's new QB recruit, draws rave review from ESPN writer: While signing Terrelle Pryor, the current Buckeyes QB, in 2008 was huge, Pryor was coveted more for his overall freakish athleticism than his pure quarterbacking skills. Miller, who is a fine athlete in his own right and can bring dual-threat skills to the position, is more advanced as a passer and should allow Ohio State to do more in the passing game in the early stages than it could do with Pryor..."
Passion for playing QB led Miller to OSU June 4, 2010 Source: Dayton Daily News - "Wayne star wants to develop into ‘total quarterback,’ his father says...Miller said the Buckeyes first talked with him in the eighth grade, and they offered him a scholarship during his sophomore year of high school...
One of the main reasons Miller chose the Buckeyes, he said, was to remain a quarterback and develop at the position. OSU told him he was the only quarterback in his class the school was recruiting...
"We wanted to find a place where the system would develop him as a total quarterback, not just a system quarterback," said Miller’s father, Kevin..."
Miller Time At Ohio State June 3, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State landed the top quarterback prospect in the nation Thursday, when Braxton Miller announced his pledge to the Buckeyes. The five-star quarterback made the announcement in his high school auditorium in front of friends and family. Miller is the 12th member of the 2011 Ohio State recruiting class. Bill Greene was on hand and filed this report...
From Scout.com: "A true dual-threat quarterback, Miller could beat a team without rushing for a yard and is athletic enough to run a wishbone. Miller has the arm strength to put pressure on the back of a defense which opens up even more running lanes for him as the defensive backs are forced to be honest and not crowd the line of scrimmage. Miller has all the tools to be a star on the next level and simply needs to keep progressing - Scott Kennedy, Scout.com."
Huber Heights' Miller picks Buckeyes June 3, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The No.1 overall prospect in the country for the 2011 recruiting class according to Scout.com, the quarterback from Huber Heights (Wayne), Ohio, just announced at his school that he has committed to sign a national letter of intent in February with Ohio State. He picked the Buckeyes over Florida.
With the commitment of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound dual-threat QB, the Buckeyes have gained the top-rated quarterback in the nation for the second time in four years, according to at least some of the rating services. Current OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor was the consensus No.1 overall prospect when he signed with the Buckeyes for the 2008 class..."
Wayne’s Miller chooses Ohio State June 3, 2010 Source: Dayton Daily News - "...It just reminded me of my hometown and Wayne," Miller, a former Springfield resident, said about Ohio State. Hats representing Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame, Georgia and Alabama were placed on a table before Miller made his announcement. He and those around him all but revealed the decision in interviews on Tuesday, when he called a news conference for Thursday to announce his decision. Although he held offers for many of the country’s most powerful programs, Miller said he narrowed his choices to Ohio State and Florida before deciding to head to Columbus. One of the most highly recruited area players in recent memory, Miller becomes the Buckeyes’ 12th commitment in the Class of 2011.
..."
Braxton is a Buckeye June 3, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...The 6-2/200 dual threat quarterback from Huber Heights Wayne threw for around 1,100 yard and 9 touchdowns in 2009, while running for over 450 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He was recruited by Jim Tressel from the time he was a freshman and for good reason, as he is an advanced passer for his age and could be a contributor with his legs right away from the second he steps on campus... (also highlights video)"
Spring Back: Buckeyes Looking for Playmakers at Defensive Tackle June 2, 2010 Source: The Ozone - "With the game on the line and a potential BCS bowl trip hanging in the balance, Doug Worthington made the play of his career. Iowa faced a 3rd-and-16 on their first possession of overtime. Worthington burst into the Hawkeye backfield before slinging quarterback James Vandenberg to the turf for a 10-yard loss. It knocked Iowa out of field gold range and Vandenberg’s fourth-down prayer was intercepted by Anderson Russell in the end zone...
With Worthington off to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, the Buckeyes are looking for some new playmakers at one of the most critical positions. In our latest "Spring Back" piece, we took a look at the spring that was for the Ohio State defensive tackles.
Key losses: Doug Worthington, Todd Denlinger
Returning lettermen: Dexter Larimore, John Simon
Spring newcomers: Evan Blankenship (Offense) Help is on the way: Jonathan Hankins, Darryl Baldwin
What we knew...What we thought...How it went...Filling out the two-deep...Fall outlook...Post Spring Depth Chart..."
Best of the Big Ten: Defensive Line June 2, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...This group is actual pretty solid across the conference, especially at wide out, and was very hard to rank from 1-11...
The battle in the trenches is often a key element to determining which team wins or loses a game...This week, we will turn the line around and gather some insight into the conference’s best defensive line units...
...we will be ranking the units 1-11, starting from the bottom this week. While some of the best defensive ends and tackles in the conference have graduated or moved on to the NFL..., there are many solid defensive linemen in the conference coming back for 2010, as well as the usual group who will emerge as the next budding stars for their respective teams...
1. Ohio State
Iowa’s unit is strong, but no unit may be as deep and talented as Ohio State. Cameron Heyward could be the best defensive end in the country when it’s all said and done and his ability to move inside on passing downs will prove to be extremely valuable. Nathan Williams, the other starting end, was hampered a bit by injuries last year, but is back and ready to cause havoc in the backfield in 2010. Other players who will regularly contribute at end include Keith Wells, Solomon Thomas, and Melvin Fellows. Those three are extremely talented and it is likely at least one will see plenty of action on third downs when Heyward moves inside. At tackle the starters will be senior Dexter Larimore and freshman John Simon. Buckeye coaches are really excited about Simon and an anonymous source told me recently that he has lived in the weight room since day one and will be even more impressive this year than he was in 2009 when he was a consistent player in the tackle rotation as a true freshman. Backing up Simon and Larimore are Garrett Goebel, Adam Bellamy, and Evan Blankenship. Incoming freshmen that will have an impact include Darryl Baldwin, JT Moore, and Jonathan Hankins. Baldwin is more likely to redshirt, while Moore could surprise many people as someone who contributes early and Hankins, like Simon, is big and dominant enough where he could see time in the rotation immediately upon arriving in Columbus. Ohio State may have lost five players from their defensive line rotation last year, but bring back a group that is extremely talented and hungry to get a National Championship..."
Enjoy this highlight video chronicling the Rose Bowl Champion & Big Ten Champion Ohio State Buckeyes
